Sports Briefs

a history of disciplinary problems is being investigated for making a racial slur on social media where he referred to black people as "apes".

Zimbabwe Cricket said it is looking into comments posted on Facebook by batsman Mark Vermeulen. Vermeulen was responding to a complaint made by black player Prosper Utseya alleging racism in Zimbabwe cricket.

In the post made back in July, Vermeulen wrote that black people wouldn't have any problems "if we had left them in the bush", and Utseya might be happier if he was living "in his mud hut". He referred to black people as "the apes".

Vermeulen, who has played nine Tests and 43 one-day internationals but has been in and out of the team, could face a life ban in Zimbabwe after a series of previous problems.

Ex-T&T captain submits

poll candidacy to FIFA

BERNE, Switzerland (AP):

David Nakhid's campaign team says the former Trinidad and Tobago captain has submitted his candidacy to FIFA to stand in February's emergency presidential election.

Campaign strategist Josanne Leonard told The Associated Press by email that "Nakhid's papers and five nominations have been lodged with FIFA".

Presidential hopefuls have until October 26 to submit their candidacies for approval by FIFA's election committee.

As well as being backed by five federations, candidates must have had an active role in football for at least two of the last five years and pass integrity checks.

Those checks could prevent Michel Platini from being declared a candidate since he is currently serving an ethics suspension.

England's Taylor to make

history in men's game

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP):

England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will make history today when she becomes the first woman to play in a men's A-grade cricket match in Australia.

Taylor will appear for the Northern Districts club against Port Adelaide on the opening day of a two-day match in South Australia's elite men's competition.

No woman has played in the competition since it began in 1987 and it is believed none has done so in a two-day match in a men's A-grade tournament in any other state. Former Australia fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick played one Twenty20 match for the Dandenong club in Victoria in 2006-07.

Taylor, who is the current ICC Women's International One-Day Cricketer of the Year, said she is "nervous and excited" about her debut.

"I've always wanted to push myself and check where I'm at in terms of my cricket," Taylor said.